Starting Out

Question
Hi Don,
How many months does it take to train a horse to compete on the track and what age do you start them at?
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Tammy,
           In most countries thoroughbreds race from age 2. That does not mean all 2yr olds race but they can if they are mature enough.
Training can start as soon as you like but of course until the horse is strong enough to carry a rider you would restrict its training to getting used to the gear, environment and routines.

Once it is mature enough then you break it in and train it to be ridden. When it can handle that without too many dramas then it would trial in the stalls and on the race track learning to run with other horses and under pressure.

Usually this training would only take a few months however they never stop learning and you have to be aware that they pick up all sorts of bad habits that need to be corrected by further training.
I hope this helps,
Regards,

Don Boddie
New Zealand.